Early childhood support
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Supporting children with disability and developmental delays
The early years of your child’s life are vitally important because they set the foundation for future development.
Early experiences shape the brain as it grows and set up how your child will learn and develop in later life.
Accessing early support for children with disability or developmental delay—through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Government services, and community groups—gives your child the best possible chance to reach their full potential.
We can help you get the right kind of support at the right time.
If you’d like to chat about support for your child and understand your options, give us a call: 1800 290 555.
*Please note, this service is currently available in Tasmania only. For support outside of Tasmania, use this tool to find the NDIS partner in your area.
An overview of our Early Childhood Support program
What kind of support is available?
We can help to find the right support for your child’s specific needs and situation.
We can help to:
- Assess your child to understand their needs
- Recommend the best pathway forwards, which may include testing your child’s eligibility for the NDIS
- Connect your child with the right Government services and community groups
- If your child is eligible for the NDIS, and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) approves their plan, we can connect your child with the right NDIS services that are available in your area.
Does my child need a diagnosis to get support?
You may not need a diagnosis depending on your child’s age and situation.
What if my child is older than nine?
A person called a Local Area Coordinator works to perform a similar role for those over nine years of age and are eligible. Your Local Area Coordinator can help your child to connect with support, services, and local activities that are right for them.
You can learn more about Baptcare’s Local Area Coordinators.
How do I access Early Childhood Support?
Step 1. Connect with Baptcare
If you live in Tasmania, your first step is to contact us. You can call 1800 290 555 or come into a Baptcare location. We’ll talk about what is available in your community.
Step 2. A coordinator will contact you
A coordinator will call you to get to know a little bit about you and your child and to arrange a time to meet. Your coordinator is a dedicated, single point of contact who will get to know your story and guide you toward the right support for your child.
Step 3. We’ll chat about possible support
Your coordinator will meet with you, listen to any of your concerns, and identify goals for your child. This will ensure the best pathways to support your child’s development. The meeting can happen anywhere you feel comfortable, including home, pre-school, or even a playground at a park. To help you prepare for the conversation, you can fill out this easy booklet ahead of time.
Step 4. We’ll guide you towards the best support
This can look different depending on what happens in step three. There are varied possible pathways depending on your child’s unique situation.
These pathways include:
- Immediately connecting your child with community groups and Government services that are available. This could include playgroups or other activities in your area
- Helping your child to apply for the NDIS if needed, to access the right support or Government services
- Supporting you to access new skills, information, and strategies to better support your child
Where can I access Early Childhood Support?
This service is available in South West Tasmania and North Tasmania. If you are not in these areas, you can use this tool to find your closest NDIS provider.
South West Tasmania
- Suite 4, 95 Albert Road, Moonah, TAS 7009
- Call: 1800 290 555
- Email: Baptcare.TAS@ndis.gov.au
North Tasmania
- 288 Invermay Road, Mowbray, TAS 7248
- Call: 1800 290 555
- Email: Baptcare.TAS@ndis.gov.au
Hear from other people who’ve accessed Early Childhood Support
Early Childhood Resource – Reading Books
Early Childhood Resource – Floor Time Play
Early Childhood Resource – First Words Repetition
Early Childhood Resource – Positive Behaviour
Early Childhood Resource – Development Delay?
About our commitment to child safety
Baptcare is a child safe organisation. We take action to promote child wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people.
We ensure our staff and volunteers are responsible for child safety across all areas of our work.
We are an inclusive service that celebrates diversity and promotes cultural safety. Baptcare respects people of all cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all genders and sexual identities, as well as beliefs, ages, and abilities.
